Hungary Post-Race Analysis
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After a very long wait Hamilton takes another victory.

Race Results

1st

Hamilton

2nd

Raikkonen

3rd

Grosjean

4th

Vettel

5th

Alonso

6th

Button

7th

Senna

8th

Webber

9th

Massa

10th

Rosberg

11th

Hulkenberg

12th

di Resta

13th

Maldonado

14th

Perez

15th

Ricciardo

16th

Vergne

17th

Kovalainen

18th

Kobayashi

It certainly was not one of Hamilton's easier race wins, with the Lotuses looking like they had the pace to challenge for the win throughout the race. The narrow track of the Hungaroring certain helped keep the Lotus's at bay but Hamilton's mature drive may have equally ensured victory. Rather than his usual aggression, Hamilton drove carefully to make the tires last, so much so that he was putting in faster lap times than Raikkonen in the final few laps despite being on older tires. It bodes well for his championship chances if Hamilton can drive with this type of control for the rest of the season.

Lotus had a tremendous race, showing incredible pace and good strategic decisions. They have been close to winning a couple of times this year and Hungary is their closest yet, so a victory this season looks likely. It's worth noting that the Lotus performs better in warm weather and Hungary was the warmest race this year. Success at other hight temperature track is likely but they will not have that pace at every future race. Hopefully from now on both Lotus drivers will join Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Button and Alonso as the realistic contenders for victory. 2012 looks likely to continue to be the most diverse in F1 history.

Another race has gone and still no one is challenging Alonso's championship lead. Alonso's 5th position finally breaks his incredible run since Valencia of two wins and a 2nd place. However, his closest rivals, the two Red Bulls, finished in similar positions to Alonso. Instead of decreasing his lead, Hungary meant Hamilton and Raikkonen have now almost caught the Red Bull drivers. With four drivers now taking points from one another, the championship looks like Alonso's to lose. His competitor's only hope is that Ferrari is still lacking pace after the summer break.